I just got fitted by my dentist for a night guard because I clench my teeth when I concentrate or am exerting myself, and am grinding em down to nubs and need crowns, etc. Since he told me this, I noticed when I come out of the water sometimes my jaw is actually tired from clenching when I'm paddling for waves. So I am thinking of wearing a mouth guard when I surf but it seems like it'd be tough to get used to, especially swimming and exhaling under water, etc. I don't want to lose the thing.

Anybody have any experience or advice with this? Anybody try those high performance Armourbite things that go on the lower teeth?

Before I hear the inevitable kook gear comments, I'm trying to save myself thousands in future dental work here.

Feb 2, 2013, 03:45 AM

ClemsonSurf

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragdolling

I just got fitted by my dentist for a night guard because I clench my teeth when I concentrate or am exerting myself, and am grinding em down to nubs and need crowns, etc. Since he told me this, I noticed when I come out of the water sometimes my jaw is actually tired from clenching when I'm paddling for waves. So I am thinking of wearing a mouth guard when I surf but it seems like it'd be tough to get used to, especially swimming and exhaling under water, etc. I don't want to lose the thing.

Anybody have any experience or advice with this? Anybody try those high performance Armourbite things that go on the lower teeth?

Before I hear the inevitable kook gear comments, I'm trying to save myself thousands in future dental work here.

I hear ya on this. I had a bad teeth grinding dream last night, they're the worst. I don't think it's terribly kooky i mean every football player wears them, boxers, mma.... pretty much all sports have some people that wear them sometimes. No one's gonna be checking out your grill anyway.

Feb 2, 2013, 04:22 AM

Plover

My initial thought is to quit the coffee or 5hourenergy drinks or the coke or whatever.....if that's not the case, maybe stress management....either way, grill comes first.

Feb 2, 2013, 04:38 AM

fl.surfdog

you wont lose 'em if you super glue 'em....just kidding...some people would actually try it.

Feb 2, 2013, 06:31 AM

Zippy

My wife has a night guard for grinding her teeth. I sometimes cant sleep because of it. She doesn't surf though so can't help you on that. Its not kooky at all IMO, if it saves your teeth wear it, I ain't judging.

Feb 2, 2013, 11:32 AM

seldom seen

My only concern would be on a heavy wipeout, I'd be freaked out the thing would get lodged in my throat.

Feb 2, 2013, 11:45 AM

BrianSurfs

Interesting thread...I've been hit in the mouth so many times by my surfboards it's no wonder I haven't lost my front teeth. I've debated whether I should wear a mouthguard similar to what I what I wore as kid playing football and baseball. I might give it a try and add it to the many hats, sun glasses, and contact lenses I've left on the bottom of the ocean.

Feb 2, 2013, 12:57 PM

Erock

Ask your dentist if there is a solution for fitting the thing to your teeth like they would a partial or something like that. That aside, I think a football-style guard will be too cumbersome and inhibit your breathing.

Just try things out. Even if you go through 100's of mouth guards it's still way cheaper then getting into the chair of pain and expense.

Jan 19, 2017, 05:10 PM

jfadness

Late to this, but figure I would add my two cents incase someone can benefit.

I also notice i heavily clench my teeth while paddling for waves, and my dentist has noticed a bit of damage to by back molars due to it. The best mouthguard i've seen for it is made by ShockDoctor, and it's called the Superfit (Also called the Basketball Mouthguard). It's only $20, and fits really slim. If you heat mold it correctly, it will actually sort of snap onto your teeth / lock in, and it's really low profile.

It fits onto your upper teeth, which is the kind you want. The lower jaw mouthguards tend to not lock on to your teeth as well, and are more purely held by gravity.)

Not saying this is the solution, but worth a go! (Also comes in white, so there is a very low chance of this being visible / you being spotted as a kook in the line up ).

Hope this helps!

Jan 19, 2017, 05:15 PM

nynj

Thank you Jfadness!!! I have been checking this thread every day since 2013 hoping someone came up with a solution...